Norra Tornen (in English, Northern Towers) are a pair of high-rise apartment buildings located in Vasastaden district of Stockholm, Sweden. Opened in 2018, the eastern tower is 125 m (410 ft) tall, consisting of 36 floors. The west tower opened in 2020 and is 110 m (360 ft) tall, with 33 floors. The complex contains 300 residential units and ground breaking took place in the autumn of 2015.[1][2]

Norra Tornen
Norra Tornen in June 2020
Map
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeResidential
LocationVasastaden
Town or cityStockholm
CountrySweden
Coordinates59°20′45.12″N 18°2′0.9″E / 59.3458667°N 18.033583°E / 59.3458667; 18.033583
HeightEast: 125 metres (410 ft)
West: 110 metres (360 ft)
Technical details
MaterialConcrete
Floor countEast: 35
West: 30
Design and construction
Architect(s)Reinier de Graaf
Architecture firmOMA
DeveloperOscar Properties
Structural engineerArup
Website
oscarproperties.com
norratornen.se

History

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In 2009, the Stockholm City planning office called for the construction of two skyscrapers in a new residential area on the border between Stockholm and Solna, a planning area later named Hagastaden. These 145 m (476 ft) twin towers were called "Tors Torn" in the original zoning plan, after the Torsplan plaza on which they were meant to be built.[3] The general shape and approximate height were decided by City Architect Aleksander Wolodarski.[4]

Despite being criticised for its height and for being similar to the Embarcadero Center in San Francisco,[5] a Norwegian company was awarded the contract to build the skyscrapers – only to pull out in 2011, citing lack of funds.[6][7] In 2012, the city invited several companies for a new informal competition for the development rights to the property.[8] Mayor Sten Nordin finally presented the winning proposal in June 2013: A design by the Dutch architectural firm OMA, commissioned by Oscar Properties, scheduled for completion in 2018.[9]

Construction of the towers

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References

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  1. ^ "OMA's Stockholm skyscrapers move towards construction". De Zeen. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Många ville veta läget i Hagastaden" (in Swedish). Stockholm Municipality. 2014-11-09. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  3. ^ "NORRA STATION – DEN TÄTA STADENS ATTRAKTIONSKRAFT - DP 2009-02013-54" (in Swedish). Stockholm Municipality. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Arkitekt får hård kritik" (in Swedish). Svenska Dagbladet. 2010-03-08. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  5. ^ "Ang. utformningen av Tors Torn, inför KF:s antagande av detaljplan för Vasastaden 1:16 i stadsdelen Vasastaden - SR Dnr 2009-0375" (PDF) (in Swedish). Stockholm Municipality & Stockholm Beauty Council. 7 December 2009. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  6. ^ Ekberg, Eddie. "Slottner: Viktigt att Tors torn byggs" (in Swedish). Fastighetssverige. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  7. ^ "Formella beslut - bygg.stockholm.se" (in Swedish). Stockholm Municipality. Retrieved 7 January 2015. I maj 2011 avslutade exploateringskontoret förhandlingarna [...] och markanvisningen [drogs tillbaka]. Den ursprungliga markanvisningen gjordes den 19 november 2009 till Oslo Naeringseiendom
  8. ^ "Nystart för markanvisningsprocess i Hagastaden" (in Swedish). Stockholm Municipality. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  9. ^ Sundström, Anders (2013-06-17). "De ersätter Tors torn" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Retrieved 7 January 2015.